News

Mount Prospect school's collection for Puerto Rico surpasses expectations

Posted October 25, 2017 1:00 am

Daily Herald report

Preschool and first grade students at Westbrook School for Young Learners load goods collected to aid in Puerto Rico hurricane relief onto a truck for shipment to Chicago, where material is being assembled for a flight to Puerto Rico on a donated airplane. Courtesy of Mount Prospect Elementary District 57

Students, families and staff at Westbrook School for Young Learners in Mount Prospect collected 11,373 diapers, 17,336 bandages and 197 containers of baby formula to aid hurricane victims in Puerto Rico.

Hundreds of kids in preschool and first grade helped load a truck Wednesday that was donated by Novak and Parker Home Appliance in Mount Prospect, which is owned by Westbrook parents Dan and Beth Novak.

A truck driver took the items to Grace and Peace Church in Chicago, which is working with other local churches and organizations to collect donations. The church is also working with leaders in Puerto Rico to make sure everything gets to the communities that are in dire need of supplies. The items will be flown to Puerto Rico on a plane donated by FedEx.

The goods were collected in just five days and the response surpassed all expectations, according to school officials. The drive was led by Lisa Ryno, school social worker, and Mary Gorr, principal. Westbrook serves children ages 3 to 7.

Preschool and first-grade students at Westbrook School for Young Learners load goods collected to aid in Puerto Rico hurricane relief on a truck for shipment to Chicago, where material is being assembled for a flight to Puerto Rico on a donated airplane. Courtesy of Mount Prospect Elementary District 57

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